The Sound Inside

MARCH 7 – APRIL 2
By Adam Rapp
Directed by Vincent M. Lancisi
The Sound Inside portrait picture

Overview

In this suspenseful drama, we meet Ivy League writing professor Bella Lee Baird and her talented yet enigmatic student, Christopher Dunn. As Christopher seeks mentorship and Bella asks an unthinkable favor, the two form an intense bond and the stories they live and tell become intertwined in provocative ways. Everyone has a story — the question is, how does it end…

Nominated for six Tony Awards, including Best Play.

Production Photos by Kiirstn Pagan

CONTENT TRANSPARENCY: 

This production contains themes surrounding life or death choices and some scenes with graphic language. We recognize that sensitivity on these topics vary from person to person. If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects that might impact patron comfort, you may contact our box office or CLICK HERE  for detailed summary and content by scene. (NOTE: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS.)

Let’s Talk Character

Beth Hylton as 'Bella'

Were there any challenges in playing this character?
The play demands authenticity, and a kind of spare-ness that is unrelenting.  There is a feeling of never having a moment in the shade, of being in the bright sun throughout that is very challenging.

What aspect of this character’s personality or backstory do you resonate with and why?
I love how in love she is with words, with stories, with the rigor and discipline of crafting a tale.  I love the specificity of her language.

Choose 5 words to describe this character.
Smart, funny, lonely, dedicated, brave.

If your character could do only do one thing for the rest of their life, what would it be?
Read books in a cozy chair.

Do you connect to words, stories, and books in a similar way to your character?
Oh yes.  The power of a good story is overwhelming.

Zack Powell as 'Christopher'

Were there any challenges in playing this character?
There were a lot of challenges in portraying Christopher.  He is much more well read then I am–I have been catching up during the past few months on some of the novels he references and is influenced by. Another was that he speaks so differently than I do.  His vocabulary is more expansive and he will often string long, intricate series of thoughts together in one sentence. It has taken a while to make those qualities second nature, so they come across as authentic.

What aspect of this character’s personality or backstory do you resonate with and why?
I really appreciate that Christopher does not tolerate BS or flattery or dishonesty of any kind. While he may come across as brusque and occasionally mean, I admire his directness and truthfulness.  And while I consider myself a social person, I share his disdain for the vapidness that so often accompanies social media.

Choose 5 words to describe this character.
Intelligent, dangerous, driven, lonely and well-read.

If your character could do only do one thing for the rest of their life, what would it be?
Christopher would probably be content to just sit and write for the rest of his life.  Reading is also a strong option.

Do you connect to words, stories, and books in a similar way to your character?
I think I do!  I LOVE getting lost in a good novel, especially one that is going to challenge my POV on an issue.  I think there is a strong connection between actors and writers–one is interpretive and the other is generative, but to me, they are intrinsically linked.

Are there any additional thoughts or feelings about this show and/or character that you’d like to mention?
It’s been a thrill to work on this piece.  It is simultaneously very dense and very spare–there is lots of room for interpretation.  Every day I learn lots more about the characters and the story we are telling. It is constantly surprising.

RELATED EVENTS

Childcare Matinee | Sunday, March 19
Cast Conversation | Thursday, March 23

“The Sound Inside” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Cast

Everyman Company Everyman Resident Company
Beth Hylton
Beth Hylton Bella
Zack Powell
Zack Powell Christopher

Artistic + Creative Team

Vicent M. Lancisi
Director
Yu Shibagaki
Set Design
Adam Mendelson
Lighting Design
Ivania Stack
Costume Design
Tosin Olufolabi
Sound Design
Kelly Colburn
Projection Design
Lewis Shaw
Fights + Intimacy
Dante Fields
Stage Manager
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